Is the Broselow tape an accurate weight-estimation instrument and effective drug-dosing guide for pediatric emergencies?
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Why is this study important?
The Broselow tape was developed as both a length-based weight estimation tool and as a drug-dosing guide. The Broselow tape has been used for pediatric emergency healthcare worldwide to streamline the resuscitation of critically ill children by allowing physicians to quickly estimate how much a child weighs and choose the appropriate drug doses for resuscitation medications. However, the accuracy and overall applicability of the Broselow tape has been recently called into question, given both the increasing prevalence of pediatric obesity in developed countries and underweight children in developing countries. Many other formulas, including dual length- and habitus-based systems (e.g., PAWPER, Mercy) are being explored as potential replacements.[1][2] This review examines the relative effectiveness of the Broselow tape as both a weight estimation instrument and effective dosing guide in pediatric patients.
Which, if any, threats to validity are most likely to have an impact on the results and how?
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